The Roaring Twenties

Marking the growth of the industrial east side and our relationship with Madison Architect Frank Riley, Findorff kicked off the decade building East High School in the Collegiate Gothic style and later built several additions for this registered landmark. In April 1923, Findorff secured several contracts further strengthening our roots in Madison, two of which were again Riley’s designs. At the corner of State Street and Fairchild Street, Findorff constructed Yost’s department store, the first notable retail establishment on State Street. Next door, Findorff built company offices for Madison Gas & Electric. This location in Madison’s downtown was not only significant in the 1920s for Findorff, but also was special as eight decades later would become home to one of the City’s and Findorff’s most iconic projects, the Overture Center for the Arts.